Current Covid symptoms revealed as UK cases spike

Covid cases have been steadily rising since the start of July, with a new variant, Eris, adding to the figures.

And while overall the figures are low, to help limit community spread it’s always a good idea to know the classic signs of the virus so if you catch it, you don’t share it.

As the government notes on its website, the symptoms of Covid-19 are very similar to other respiratory infections – which individuals should still avoid spreading.

Writing on gov.uk, it states: ‘It is not possible to tell if you have Covid-19, flu or another respiratory infection based on symptoms alone. Most people with Covid-19 and other respiratory infections will have a relatively mild illness, especially if they have been vaccinated.

‘If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as Covid-19, and you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.’

What are the symptoms of Covid-19?

Official government advice states the common symptoms of Covid-19, flu and common respiratory include:

• A continuous cough
• A high temperature, fever or chills
• Loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
• Muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
• Not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
• A headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
• A sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
• Diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick

All of the above can also be symptoms of the new Eris strain that has contributed to the rise, with the addition of a hoarse voice.

With a large portion of the population now vaccinated, and an autumn booster campaign due to start, the virus has not been able to take hold in the way it once did when first sweeping the globe.

Nevertheless, even if the national threat is not the same, for individuals it can still be deadly – so caution is still advised for suspected or confirmed cases.

The government states: ‘It is particularly important to avoid close contact with anyone who you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously unwell if they are infected with Covid-19 and other respiratory infections, especially those whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness, despite vaccination.’

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